The Diaries of Jazzi Danz'r a Fur Danzer

Q: My pet is a therapeutic animal which visits patients (eg, nursing homes or health-care settings), do I have to take special precautions?

A: Yes. Because health-care environments may be at risk for MRSA infection and transmission, there are certain precautions you should take to insure the health of the patient, your animal, and you. There are guidelines for therapeutic animals in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs). The AAI guidelines recommend:

•That you consult your veterinarian as a good source of advice in handling your therapeutic pet
•Good hand hygiene by all who encounter the animal, both before and after touching the animal
•Licking should be prevented, as well as "shaking paws" – even if the animal's paws are clean before they enter the health-care facility, the floors may be contaminated
•Handlers are restricted to bringing one animal during each visit, and must keep the animal on a leash or in a carrier
•Animals should be restricted to interaction only with the patients and their families
•When placing an animal on a bed, a clean towel or absorbent pad should be placed between the pet and the bed linens
•No animals should visit patients in isolation units
•Although therapeutic animals are expected to be clean, bathing an animal prior to each visit is not recommended, unless the animal smells or is soiled.............